Educational Sessions
Learn more about the incredible education the Staffing Summit has to offer. Earn educational credits, collaborate with your fellow attendees to solve industry challenges, and gather ideas to bring back to your property.
H-2B Visa Basics & Refresher Course
Pre-Conference Workshops
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Keith Pabian
Founding Partner
Pabian Law
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Co-Founder & President
Seasonal Connect
Join Attorney Keith Pabian for a session on the basics of the H-2B visa program. Keith will walk attendees through the H-2B visa process, program requirements, and the necessary information to know when employing H-2B international workers. For those new to the H-2B visa program, this session is incredibly helpful to understand how the entire process works. And for those seasoned veterans, this session will provide some invaluable reminders of the program as we dive into the weeds and understand the who, what, when, where, and why of the H-2B visa program.
Compliance Training for Hospitality Organizations' Managers and Supervisors
Pre-Conference Workshops
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Keith Pabian
Founding Partner
Pabian Law
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Co-Founder & President
Seasonal Connect
We are so excited to offer an in-person Manager and Supervisor Training to ensure that your H-2B visa program is successful, compliant, and viable for the long-term. In today’s environment of many immigration checks and government audits, the Managers and Supervisors play an integral role in the approvals and ongoing successes (or failures) of your organization’s H-2B visa program. During this session, we will discuss what Managers and Supervisors need to know about the H-2B visa program, how they can foster an environment that furthers the goals of the program, and what the Managers and Supervisors urgently need to understand to ensure compliance and future approvals of your H-2B visa program. This session is not to be missed for Managers, Supervisors, and for those that interact with Managers, Supervisors, and H-2B visa workers at an organization.
Inside the Hospitality Industry: Live Employer Insights
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Carly Eglin
Co-Founder & CEO
Seasonal Connect
Back by popular demand for 2026, this dynamic and interactive session offers a fresh look at the state of the hospitality industry. Through live polling and group discussions, attendees will collaborate to uncover emerging trends and challenges shaping the year ahead. Gain real-time insights from fellow employers across the country and walk away with actionable strategies to navigate local, regional, and national shifts in hospitality.
Government Affairs
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Ashley McNeil
Vice President, Federal Government Affairs
American Hotel & Lodging Association
Join Ashley McNeil of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, for an incredible session about the legislative issues and challenges facing the hospitality industry and seasonal world.
Hear what she is seeing in the hotel and lodging industries, what legislative changes are on the horizon, and how constituents can help to push forward positive legal changes.
A Local Look at National Issues: The State of the Hospitality Industry
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Amy Landers
Executive Director
Lakes Region Tourism Association
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Kathryn Ference
Director of Workforce Development
Maine Tourism Association​
While national trends shape the direction of the hospitality industry, local realities often tell the most powerful stories. In this session, leaders from the Lakes Region Tourism Association and the Maine Tourism Association share insights into how national challenges—such as workforce shortages, housing, and shifting traveler expectations—are playing out at the local level. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how regional organizations are addressing these issues and innovating to strengthen their communities and businesses.
The Next Generation Workforce: What the Data Reveals About Retaining the Next Generation of Talent
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LeAnne Lagasse
HR Consultant
LeAnne Lagasse Coaching & Consulting​
Seasonal workforces are changing, and so are their expectations. Gen Z is entering the workforce with a clear set of expectations: purpose-driven work, supportive leadership, and cultures that prioritize well-being. These aren’t passing trends—they’re reshaping how every organization must think about engagement and culture.
Grounded in current workforce research, this session bridges the gap between data and day-to-day leadership. LeAnne Lagasse unpacks what Gen Z values most and how leaders can create environments where young employees feel seen, supported, and motivated to do their best work. You’ll walk away with evidence-based strategies to connect with, retain, and even turn short-term hires into long-term brand ambassadors.
Key Takeaways:
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Identify the top drivers of engagement and retention for Gen Z talent
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Separate myths from meaningful trends using the latest research
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Apply actionable communication and leadership strategies that foster trust
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Design culture practices that resonate with today’s workforce—seasonal or not
Navigating Immigration in an Evolving Landscape​​
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Keith Pabian
Founding Partner
Pabian Law
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Co-Founder & President
Seasonal Connect
​Attorney Keith Pabian is back with new immigration updates! Hear about H-2B visas and year-round immigration including TN visas, O-1 visas, H-1B visas, and green card applications.
This session will delve into trends and issues affecting both summer and winter-season employers, including changes from the current administration over the past year.
Keith will also outline tips and best practices to enable you to have the best H-2B visa program possible, and year-round options for employing your foreign nationals, including the increasingly popular EB-3 green card and TN visa routes.
To be announced
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Name
Title
Organization
Description coming soon!
Empowering Emerging Leaders​​
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David Chag
Partner
The Club Council
The future of the hospitality industry depends on the next generation of leaders—and how we support them today. This session explores strategies for identifying, developing, and retaining emerging talent within seasonal and year-round teams.
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Through real-world examples and insights, attendees will learn how to cultivate leadership potential, foster skill development, and create growth opportunities that inspire engagement and long-term success.
Partnering for Success: Making the Most of Your Relationship with Recruiters​​
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Jim Turner
Owner
The JTP Agency
Working with a recruiter can be a game-changer—but only if you know how to make the partnership work for you. In this session, we’ll explore how recruiters fit into the broader seasonal hiring puzzle alongside tools like Seasonal Connect and employers’ own outreach efforts. Learn when to involve a recruiter, how to communicate effectively, and what best practices lead to smoother, more successful hiring cycles. Attendees will gain practical tips and insider insight into building strong, strategic relationships that maximize results, reduce stress, and create better experiences for both employers and workers.
Bridging Perspectives: Insights from Former H-2B and J-1 Workers​​​
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Keziah (KC) Aberilla
Human Resources Manager
Lafayette Hotels​
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Carleen Anderson-Lalor
Co-General Manager
The Colonial Inn (Uncommon Hospitality)
What is it really like to be an H-2B or J-1 worker, and how can that insight help employers create better experiences today? In this inspiring and eye-opening panel, former H-2B and J-1 workers who are now employers share their personal journeys, reflections, and lessons. Hear firsthand about the challenges, opportunities, and cultural adjustments they faced, as well as the important things that made a difference. Panelists will offer practical tips for improving communication, onboarding, and day-to-day support, along with pitfalls to avoid. Attendees will walk away with a deeper understanding of the worker perspective and actionable ideas to foster stronger, more empathetic, and successful seasonal teams.
Creating Successful Recruiting Trips​
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Tammy Adams
Director of Talent Acquisition & Retention
Ocean Reef Club
Creating Successful Recruiting Trips explores how seasonal employers can turn on-the-ground visits to opposite-season properties into powerful recruiting, relationship-building, and retention tools. From planning your itinerary and setting goals to coordinating with host properties and engaging with potential staff, this session will walk through the full lifecycle of a successful trip. Leave with a clear framework for designing trips that not only fill roles, but also deepen partnerships and strengthen the worker experience season after season.